Leadership and the Need to Be Seen
Every team member, no matter their role, carries the same fundamental need:
to be seen, to be recognised, to know their contribution is making a difference.
This isn’t about ego. It’s about fuel.
Why It Matters
When people don’t feel noticed, energy drains fast.
Effort starts to feel invisible.
Motivation fades.
The sense of “why am I here?” creeps in.
But when people feel seen? The opposite happens.
Energy rises.
Initiative multiplies.
A culture of belonging takes root.
Recognition is not a perk. It’s a structural necessity for high-performing teams.
The Leadership Role
Leaders set the tone for whether people feel noticed or overlooked.
And often, it’s not about grand gestures — it’s about presence.
Attention over assumption: Take the time to notice the work, not just the output.
Recognition over routine: Call out the difference people make, even in small ways.
Visibility over vagueness: Show people how their work connects to the bigger picture.
Great leaders aren’t just vision-setters. They are mirrors — reflecting back to people that they matter.
Resonance at the Human Scale
In Elsewhere’s language, this is resonance in action.
When people feel noticed, they don’t just perform — they resonate. Their energy amplifies, trust builds, and the team hums at a higher frequency.
A leader’s role is to tune that resonance by making sure no one feels invisible.
The Takeaway
People don’t just want to work.
They want to know their work lands.
They want to be seen, recognised, and valued for the difference they make.
👉 As a leader, the most powerful thing you can do is simple: notice them.
Not once in a while. Every day.
Because when people feel seen, everything else flows. 🚀